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A recent study found that in the year 2004, Americans reported having 30 percent fewer close friends than they did in 1985. One-quarter of the population reported having no close friends at all. This increased "social isolation," as the professors call it, came as a complete surprise to the researchers who conducted the study. In fact, they had embarked on their study hoping to discredit the 1995 book Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam. Putnam took a look at bowling leagues, among other groups, and found that people just aren't getting together like they used to.

The Detroit Lakes Jaycees are encouraging area residents to take a few extra moments this week to honor persons serving in the U.S. military. The Jaycees are hosting the annual Northwest Water Carnival through Sunday. Jaycees secretary Chris Bentler asked the public to be especially respectful to the U.S. flag, as well as to those now serving, who have served, or who gave their lives in service to the nation. When the U.S. flag appears in Sunday's parade, noted Bentler, all persons should stand and place their right hand over their heart until the flag passes.

The northwest had wonderful weather for the holiday weekend but we still need rain in this part of the state. It seems that birders took a vacation at the lake, as the number of reports is down, and most of those are about owls. Donna and Leon Thoreson were birding in the Pembina Trail Preserve area in Polk County July 4 where they found greater prairie-chicken, 50 sandhill cranes, upland sandpiper, grasshopper sparrow, savannah sparrow and its nest with two young, black-billed cuckoo and two short-eared owls.

Jeanette "Net" Kupferschmid, who lives in Perham with her husband, George, was elected to serve as Grand Chaplain of the Order of the Eastern Star at its 2006 Grand Chapter meeting in St. Cloud. Mrs. Kupferschmid is a member of the Olive Branch Chapter No. 114 in Detroit Lakes.

Support programs Help us help you. Submit your listing for support groups to Pippi Mayfield at: pmayfield@dlnewspapers.com . Emmanuel's Alzheimers support Emmanuel Community's Alzheimer's Support Group meets the second Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. in the Adult Day Care Room. A light supper is served, with the discussion following at 6:30. Contacts are Chaplain Vicki Marthaler at 844-7141 or Nurse Bobbi Jo Koons at 844-7148. St. Mary's Alzheimers group St. Mary's Regional Health Center's Alzheimer and Dementia Support group meets the last Thursday of each month at noon in St.

Monday was a good day for Republican state lawmaker Steve Sviggum. The Minnesota House Speaker was traveling the northern tier of the state, primarily visiting with local party officials and addressing issues that were heard and acted on during the 2006 legislative session. Sviggum, from Kenyon, says it was a cooperative, productive session, with both parties deciding to act on issues for which there was common ground. "There had to be cooperation. There had to be some compromises that took place.

Question: Is the speed limit in town 20 mph unless posted differently? Answer: According to statute 169.14 sb 2 (a) where no special hazard exists speed limits shall be: [I will not list all areas addressed by the statute just those that I think may pertain to your question.] (1) 30 mph in an urban district or on a town road in a rural residential district; (2) 10 mph in alleys; and (3) 25 mph in residential roadways if adopted by road authority having jurisdiction over the roadway. Now according to clause (b) this speed limit is not in effect unless the road authority posts signs in

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Help us help you. Make sure each item submitted for Happenings is legibly written or typed and includes a date, time and place, as well as a contact person's name and telephone number. Submissions, questions and corrections (labeled "Happenings") may be e-mailed to Pippi Mayfield at: pmayfield@dlnewspapers.com . Thursday, July 13 PEO Chapter FG P.E.O. Chapter FG meets at 6:30 p.m. in the lake home of Sandy Sprafka, Linda Sheryak is assisting as hostess. The program on the Educational Loan Fund will be presented by Karin Bueling.